Chain-Off 2008.

In 2003, one woman started something wonderful. She chained herself to a doghouse for 33 hours to raise awareness of the misery of chained and penned dogs. In 2007, it had grown to 108 people in 36 states and Canada chaining themselves to doghouses.

The organization, Dogs Deserve Better, is the sponsor of this. This organization is solely devoted to helping get chained and penned dogs back into the house and educating the public on the dangers of chained and penned dogs. The week of June 27th till July 7th, they (DDB) hope to have over 200 people chain themselves to a dog house to bring the plight of chained and penned dogs to the public.

Go to http://www.dogsdeservebetter.org/ and click on latest news up at the top of the page. It has information on how you can participate or make a donation. If my health is good enough, I plan to participate.

Little Victories As Seen With My Own Eyes.

pup with hair

sibling pupJust a tummy scratch is all this little guy wants.

This is just one of the houses in "PuppyTown." See how relaxed the dogs are! They are all that way. Happy and secure.

Today, 5/3/08, I went to Wire Branch Rd. off Rt. 60 in Ona WV, to visit a no-kill shelter called Little Victories that has been the subject of controversy by the residents living on this road. The founder and president, Sue Brown, gave me permission to take pictures while I was there, and I did. What I found were extremely healthy, happy and in all but one case, animals that felt secure. This one animal had been so horribly abused, he just couldn't trust anyone. But, it seems that since the new caretakers took over, he will now sniff the hand of the lady caretaker. That is reassuring.

As I drove down the road to get to the shelter, I passed sign after sign in people's yards that were all against this shelter being built on their road. When the caretaker, Twana, (I am sorry if I misspelled her name) showed me the property line I was amazed. Where the property owned by Little Victories starts, it is over 2 football fields from the nearest house. And, as I cruised down this road, I had my radio off and my windows both down. I heard absolutely nothing until I was abreast with the play area for the shelter dogs. One little fella was in there getting his daily romp, and he alerted I was there. And naturally, the other dogs followed suit, but only for a very short time. The caretaker, Twana, seems to really calm them. I was impressed by this.

The letter from the lady in the Voice of the People of this newspaper, saying that the dogs were dirty and no-one was there is what prompted me to call Sue and get permission to take pictures to show the public that, well, I just don't know what that lady is talking about. The pictures I have on this blog show that they have actual houses, called PuppyTown. Kudos, by the way to the Eagle Scout Troop that built it for the shelter. And, the dogs they have in lots have the entire top of the lot covered, and good houses to get into. All the dogs were clean and their areas are cleaned twice a day. With help, this can be a fabulous place for dogs to get a second chance, and the ones that can't be adopted, will have a place to live out their lives peacefully and securely.

Normally, my personal business is just that, but I am going to put Little Victories in my will. I have the library, too, because of an extensive book collection. But, after seeing what this organization is trying to do, makes me start to believe that there really is some good left in the world. What impressed me the most about the lady that took me around, was the attitude of all, and I mean all the dogs when she approached. They were so happy to see her and they just licked her hands. Even the one dog that is not approachable, he will sniff her hand. Gentle way about her. I liked her. I didn't get a chance to meet her husband.

She told me a story of this blue merle dog that she showed me. She went to bed one evening, and the next morning when her husband got up at 6am to start feeding and cleaning, he came back in and asked her who put the dog in the pen with the little fella already in there? She said there is no "other dog". Sure enough, someone came up there through the early morning hours and put her over the fence and into the pen. They(caretakers) said she was rail thin, but the bizarre thing was, the people left a garbage bag full of treats and food and toys. But the dog was so malnourished she almost died. But now, she is beautiful. And, if you go to the website: http://www.littlevictories.org and look at the 2 puppies they found that didn't have any hair, well I saw them today, and their coats are fabulous. They are pictured up on the left top. Both have full coats. Good work Little Victories!

They are working to get enough money to build an indoor kennel. Chad Pennington gave a donation specifically to be used in the building of the kennel. (The dog blog has a small story about his donation) The lady caretaker was very excited about it. Go see for yourself. I went up without calling the shelter. I had talked to Sue last week and got her permission, but didn't tell her when I would be going. So, no one knew I was coming. What I am relaying to you, comes first hand. With my own eyes.

If You Are One Of The People Who Still Wear Fur - Read This.

New York is the first state to ban the extremely cruel practice of anal and genital electrocution of mink, foxes, chinchillas and rabbits. This method is used because it is very cheap. It was signed into law by then Gov. Spitzer, in March of this year and is in effect.

PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) hopes it will force similar measures in other states.

Blogger note****I personally do not agree with all of PETA's practices and the ultimate end result that they want, which is no human contact with animals. Tamara************

Shelters And Rescues Within A 50 Mile Radius Of Huntington, WV.

source: http://www.save-a-pet-com/

I found a great website that is called Save A Pet. It is a link to shelters across the U.S. There are 28 shelters and rescue organizations within reasonable driving distance from Huntington, WV. Here is the list. This is a two part post, so look for the second part in the next couple of days.


1. Orphan Network - 21515 St. Rt. 243 - Proctorville OH 45669. email: stirling72@zoominternet.net 1mile.


2. Furry Animal Rescue - Proctorville OH 45669 - Ph: 304-416-3202. email:
yorkie_lover2006@yahoo.com 1 mile.

3. Help For Animals - POB 250 - Barboursville WV 25504 - Ph: 304-736-8555. email:
hfatracs@aol.com 5 miles.


4. Huntington-Cabell-Wayne Shelter - 1901 James River Rd. - Huntington WV 25704.
Ph: 304-696-5551 - 9 miles.


5. Holly's Animal Haven - Scottown OH 45678 - Ph: 740-886-9306. email:
tonpowe@aol.com 13 miles


6. Canterbury Tails Animal Rescue - POB 375 - Culloden WV 25510. Ph: 304 562-0807. email: neworleanspearl@aol.com 16 miles.

7. Lawrence Cty. Humane Society (OH) - POB 412 - Ironton OH 45638 - Ph: 740 533-9050. email: sassymom12@webtv.net 17 miles.

8. So. Star MinPin Rescue - WV - Hurricane WV 25526 - Contact - Dawn Russo - email:
dawn@ssmpr.org or their website - http://www.ssmpr.org/ 20 miles.

9. Putnam Cty. Humane Society - Box 461 - Scott Depot WV 25560 - Ph: 304 562-5899 - email: betycal@charter.net 25 miles.

10. WV Saint Bernard Rescue - Fort Gay, WV 25514 - Contact - Jo Ann Betler - Ph: 304 272-6270 - email: betler@frontiernet.net or on this address - http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/WV101.html 25 miles.

11. B.A.R.K. - Bluegrass Animal Rescue of KY - 1415 Hwy. 1395 - Louisa KY 41132 - Ph: 606 686-9520 - email: joenik@foothills.net 26 miles.

12. Lawrence Cty. Humane Society (KY) - Isaac Rd., Rt. 3395 - Louisa KY 41230 - Ph: 606 673-4509 - email: potterperry41230@yahoo.com 26 miles.

Chaining and Penning Of Dogs Is Abuse.

Chance says "I wish all dogs lived the life I live with my "pack." "I live inside with them, not chained or penned up a 100 yards away from the "den."

An organization called Dogs Deserve Better (DDB) just finished a tour called 12-12-120. They went to 12 states, in 12 days, only expecting to find 120 dogs. They went about documenting the chained and penned dogs in each of the 12 states. West Virginia was the last on their tour. In 6 hrs. of driving, they saw and counted 179 chained or penned dogs in deplorable conditions. The link I am providing shows some of what they saw in our state. (It is one YouTube)

http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001TieZ0g-gLXyWOGcag36gEDz3faCui_vO9SQiSgxQecyR8tOeIwaeFg9-FR1UnrUh2vb9RXLi2XG5MMDw6u5iVZBLmSReAVZ5o0yMA9ZM8obcaX4sdknr2cmDWne_7WeKK2tNv3O9Jv0V2KRjU86i1w

http://www.dogsdeservebetter.org/

This is their official website.

source: from an email to me from Tammy Grimes at DDB.

The duo found a lot more than they bargained for; 1051 dogs as opposed to the sought-after120, as well as many more aggressive dogs than they expected. Each day they interacted with around 20 caretakers, and left information for at least 20 more who were not home. Each night they posted videos and a diary of the day's events online. Said Ashby, "All I can say is send out the troops!

"What Tammy and I saw blows our minds...Everywhere we went there were more and more dogs on chains and in pens with no water, no food, nothing! Their spirits were either broken or they had already become so aggressive no one could step near them. How can people just forget about their friends like that?"

Tammy Grimes and her friend, Dawn, said that WV was the "saddest underbelly" of chaining and penned up dogs of all the states they visited." This saddens me to no end. I see it everyday where I live. Or, the feral dogs that are running loose. Feral dogs, in my opinion, are much more dangerous. With a chained dog, he cannot just attack you wherever you are. He is hindered by the chain and how far he can reach. With the feral dogs, they are in pack mode, and hunting. Go to the websites I listed above and check it out. Sad, but interesting.

The tour encompassed the following states: Day 1: April 6th, Missouri; Day 2: April 7th, Arkansas; Day 3: April 8th, Lousiana; Day 4: April 9th, Mississippi; Day 5: April 10, Alabama; Day 6: April 11, Georgia; Day 7: April 12, South Carolina; Day 8: April 13, North Carolina; Day 9: April 14, Tennessee; Day 10: April 15, Kentucky; Day 11: April 16, .Virginia; Day 12: April 17, West Virginia.

To read Grimes Top Five List of the Things she Learned on the Tour, and see videos, diaries and photos of the tour visit the website at www.dogsdeservebetter.org

The tour encompassed the following states: Day 1: April 6th, Missouri; Day 2: April 7th, Arkansas; Day 3: April 8th, Lousiana; Day 4: April 9th, Mississippi; Day 5: April 10, Alabama; Day 6: April 11, Georgia; Day 7: April 12, South Carolina; Day 8: April 13, North Carolina; Day 9: April 14, Tennessee; Day 10: April 15, Kentucky; Day 11: April 16, Virginia; Day 12: April 17, West Virginia.:

To read Grimes Top Five List of the Things she Learned on the Tour, and see videos, diaries and photos of the tour,visit the website: http://www.dogsdeservebetter.org/dognamictour.html.

Dogs Deserve Better, a 501c3 nonprofit organization headquartered in Tipton, Pennsylvania, is the 2003 First Place.
Winner of the ASPCA Pet Protector Award. The grouphas 150 area reps in 38 states as well as in Canada and France.
Grimes was also a Top Ten Finalist for the 2006 Animal Planet Hero of the Year Contest..
Dogs Deserve Better, a 501c3 nonprofit organization headquartered in Tipton, Pennsylvania, is the 2003 First Place.
Winner of the ASPCA Pet Protector Award. The grouphas 150 area reps in 38 states as well as in Canada and France.
Grimes was also a Top Ten Finalist for the 2006 Animal Planet Hero of the Year Contest.

"Dognamic Duo's" 12/12/120 Tour.

This tour takes of April 6, 2008. The founder of Dogs Deserve Better, Tammy Grimes has been putting this together for a year. Now, it will be a reality. It is 12 States • 12 Days • 120 Dogs.

March 27, Altoona, PA — What if someone wanted to prove that they could drive to any state and in the space of a few hours easily find, photograph, and videotape a minimum of 10 dogs spending their lives at the end of a chain?

And what if they decided to test this theory by going on the road on a whirlwind 12 state tour, spending only 1 day per state, including finding the dogs, driving to the next state, securing lodging, possibly speaking, meeting media, and creating videos? And what if at the end of each day they uploaded pictures and videos of their findings in that state on that day for the nation to share in the truth of what is going on in our country’s backyards? And what if one day two women decided to make all these ‘what ifs’ a reality? The result is The Dognamic Duo’s 12/12/120 Tour.

The brainchild of DDB founder Tammy Grimes, the road tour idea has been festering for over a year; now she and DDB public liaison director Dawn Ashby have decided to put the plan into action under the tour name of The Dognamic Duo’s 12/12/120 Tour! April 5th Grimes will fly to St. Louis, Missouri, where she will meet up with Ashby. There they will pick up a car, drive into Missouri to a likely location, and commence the 12 state tour bright and early the morning of the 6th.

The intention of the tour and the subsequent pictorial and video footage is to show how prevalent chaining and penning are in the U.S., educate the nation that it is common in all states, and put forth the idea that it is indeed something that must be stopped; that it is not humane and not an acceptable practice. They will be speaking to caretakers of chained and penned dogs, passing out treats, collars and leashes, educational materials and fencing applications, and seeking local help for situations that appear to be illegal, as well as engaging the public through speaking and media alerts.

The tour schedule is as follows:
12 Days, 12 States, 120 Chained Dogs
Day 1: April 6th, Missouri
Day 2: April 7th, Arkansas
Day 3: April 8th, Lousiana
Day 4: April 9th, Mississippi
Day 5: April 10, Alabama
Day 6: April 11, Georgia
Day 7: April 12, South Carolina
Day 8: April 13, North Carolina
Day 9: April 14, Tennessee
Day 10: April 15, Kentucky
Day 11: April 16, Virginia
Day 12: April 17, West Virginia

For more information, a tip form, and to see video and photos once the tour begins, visit the website at http://www.dogsdeservebetter.org/dognamictour.html

Dogs Deserve Better, a 501c3 nonprofit organization headquartered in Tipton, Pennsylvania, is the 2003 First Place Winner of the ASPCA Pet Protector Award. The group has 150 area reps in 38 states as well as in Canada and France. Grimes was also a Top Ten Finalist for the 2006 Animal Planet Hero of the Year Contest.

Little Victories Thrift Store Opening Soon.

Chance is dancing with glee over Little Victories!


In April, Little Victories, Cabell County's first no-kill shelter, will be opening a thrift store to help with vet costs and their new rescue farm on Wire Branch Rd. in Ona, WV. The store is located at 4465 WV Rt. 10 in Barboursville, WV. This organization has been giving homeless and abused dogs a second chance at life for 5 yrs.


The president, Sue Brown, is a tireless advocate for the abused and homeless animals that did not ask to be born. For more information on the new store or if you have questions about their organization, you can call 304 523-1666 or go to their website at: http://www.littlevictories.org/.

Technology Helping To Fight Animal Cruelty.

Pet-Abuse.Com announces a new MySpace Group focused towards harnessing the power of social networking to help generate leads in open animal cruelty cases. Every week, criminal animal cruelty occurs across the country in staggering numbers and severity. A percentage of those new cases have NO SUSPECTS, and without help from the public, the odds of the police ever catching the perpetrators are slim.The group, simply called Open Animal Cruelty Cases, posts new open animal cruelty cases as they are added to the database. They ask that you simply cross-post these group bulletins to your local groups and local friends.


So if a case gets posted for San Diego, California, and you happen to run a San Diego group, or have San Diego friends, simply cross-post the bulletin to those local friends and groups. The more local people that see these bulletins (that is, people local to the incident itself), the more effective they will be at generating information that may be useful in bringing an animal abuser to justice.To start helping today, join the Open Animal Cruelty Cases group on MySpace - and be sure to add them as a friend.

Humane Society Of The United States Pet Photo Contest.

Hello everyone!! The Humane Society's website is offering a chance for people to enter their pet's photo in their Spa Day photo contest. Spa Day was 2/26/08 and made it possible for people across the United States to get their pets spayed or neutered. This contest runs until 3/7/08. I entered Chance's photo. It has a place at the end of the entry form for you to put 10 email addresses of friends and family so they can vote for your pet. I entered the above photo of Chance winking at me, trying to get me to "throw the ball, mom." The website is:
www.hsus.org.

Take A Moment To Read This, Please!

A message from Tamara and Chance regarding the comments of the DA and judge in the Tammy Grimes, Dogs Deserve Better, case.

The comments of the judge and DA are appalling to me. It is up to the public to come together and send letters and emails to the judge and the DA in this case voicing their utter astonishment over the comments that were made. Please go to www.ddb.org and do what you can to let your voice be known. Thank you.

Tammy Grimes Of Dogs Deserve Better To Do Community Service.

Today Grimes was sentenced to 300 hours community service for a 'people organization', because 'people are dogs too'. She was also ordered to pay for the cost of the trial. This was justified by the judge because she said that Grimes chose to go to trial over ARD, therefore she should have to pay for it. Isn't it every person's right to go to trial? Does that right come with a price tag? Interestingly enough, according to Grimes' attorneys, this is not only NOT OFTEN done, but RARELY done. The costs were around $1700. She was also ordered within 10 days to take everything Doogie related off any any site she 'has control or influence over'. They will be appealing most if not all of the sentencing asap.


The absolute worst part of it all was the way she was treated by both the DA and the judge. The saddest thing is that they actually seem to BELIEVE the horrible things they said about her. They seem to actually BELIEVE that the taking of Doogie was a publicity stunt by Grimes, so that she could be a 'hero'. That the Arnolds are 'victims' of her lies, and that 'the dog was just old'. The DA said he was shocked this was her first offense, because her disrespect for the law and it's officials is like his worst hardened criminals. He also said that everything on the DDB site is a lie, twisted by Grimes to make people believe her. He was seriously ticked off that the Arnolds received Valentines and a brochure attempting to educate them this Valentine's Day.


Yet, at trial he insisted DDB should try to educate them, so which is it? Do you want them educated or not? She is now again not to have any contact with 'the victims'. The judge said that Grimes was no Rosa Parks or Martin Luther King, Jr. That she has disgraced herself and her cause, as well as her supporters by her actions. That two wrongs don't make a right. (If she's admitting there were 'two wrongs', then why are the Arnolds still not being convicted of abuse?) They are saddened by the state of affairs in Blair County, Pennsylvania. Saddened by the people 'in control', and saddened by the beliefs they put out into the world. The pictures and video do not lie. If it were a he said/she said situation, they could understand how they would believe the Arnolds when they say the dog was just old. But with the abundance of evidence of neglect, there is absolutely NO EXCUSE for the behavior of both DA Richard Consiglio and Judge Elizabeth Doyle. Pictures and video DO NOT LIE.

Huntington WV Animal Shelter. Please Help!

Chance says: Please help my friends find a home.
INFORMATION:
WHO WE ARE: HUNTINGTON-CABELL-WAYNE Animal Control Shelter.
Director: Anita Asbury
WHERE: 1901 James River Road Huntington, WV 25704
PHONE: (304) 696-5551
HOURS: 10am- 4:30pm Monday through Friday and 10am- 3:30pm on Saturday
WHAT WE HAVE: ADOPTABLE PETS
DOGS: cost $60
CATS: cost $50
SPAY AND NEUTER INCLUDED AT LOCAL VET CASH ONLY
PLEASE HELP!
If you have questions or your're interested in making a donation to HCW Animal Control, there are a few things the shelter could use. Newspapers, laundry detergent, dry cat/dog food, towels, blankets, toys, sponges, bleach, and cat litter. Monetary donations are also welcome! If you are interested in the availability of a pet, contact the shelter directly at 696-5551. It will save so many animals for so little of your time! Thanks so much!

Chaining Dogs Can Kill A Child.

A message from Tamara and Chance:

Dogs Deserve Better, 2003 First Place Winner of the ASPCA/Chase Pet Protector Award, is a voice for chained and penned dogs, whose sadness speaks only through the eyes. As the days become years, many of these dogs sit, lay, eat, and defecate within the same 10-foot radius. Chained by the neck, they exist without respect, love, exercise, social interaction, and sometimes even basic nourishment. They live as prisoners, yet long to be pets. Chaining is not only inhumane for dogs, but has taken a severe toll on this nation’s children as well. In the period from October 2003 through January 2008, there were at least 194 children killed or seriously injured by chained dogs across the country. Chained dogs, unsocialized with humans, can become very territorial of their tiny space, and any two year old who wanders into this space can be attacked and killed before adults can intervene.


A recent attack in Texas in March, 2007 left 2 year old Carolina Sotello dead from head and neck wounds. She was attacked and killed by an unneutered male dog chained in the backyard, next to an unspayed female with puppies. Would you for one second choose to live the life of these dogs? No matter what reason is given, the bottom line is that it is NOT ok to chain a dog for life. Dogs should not have to live chained or penned as prisoners, yearning for a place in a family, craving acknowledgement, respect, and love. They DESERVE BETTER, and we as caretakers have the obligation to provide it for them.

How To Help Our Local Greyhound Adoption Agency.

Our Mission Statement:
Almost Heaven Greyhound Adoption was founded by racing people, is currently run and staffed by racing people, and is largely supported by people from within the racing community. However, AHGA's function as a group is not to promote racing. We love racing, but we love our dogs more and they will always come first.
Our threefold mission is:
1. To educate the general public about the availability
and suitability of retired racing Greyhounds as pets,
2. To find loving and qualified homes for Greyhounds
who are entrusted to us, and
3. To offer ongoing support to those who adopt
Greyhounds, whether from us or from other sources.

There are plenty of other things you can do to help Almost Heaven Greyhound Adoption whether or not you live in our area. Believe me, no contribution is too small and all are deeply appreciated! Join us! We need active (hard-working) local members from within a reasonable driving distance of Cross Lanes/Charleston WV. Jobs to be done include:
1. Publicity/public relations (ideas and/or footwork!)
2. Fund raising (more ideas and more footwork)
3. Dog grooming (brushing, clipping toenails, ear cleaning, bathing, etc.)
4. Socializing shy dogs
5. Occasional full scrub down of the kennel
6. Home visits of prospective adopter homes
FOSTER HOMES!!! We have a growing list of retired hounds waiting for space in the kennel or in foster care. Patronize our sponsors! All of them donate a portion of the sale when a customer makes an online purchase through one of our links. Donate! As soon as we complete the massive paperwork for our 501(C)3 we will be able to provide tax deductible receipts for donations. This is our "wish list":
CASH - this always runs short
Pedigree Proof of Purchase squares
Purina Weight Circles
Baled bedding paper - we go through 2-3 of these every week
Dogfood (good quality kibble)
Canned chicken broth
First aid supplies (vet wrap, antibiotic ointments, gauze pads, Imodium tablets, Ascriptin)
Cleaning supplies (laundry detergent [for kennel blankets], bleach, Pinesol, paper towels, etc.)
Gift items that can be raffled or sold on eBay
Adjustable martingale collars
Leashes
Kennel muzzles
Pyrethrin-based flea sprays or Advantage - during last summer's flea invasion we found that Advantage drops work best. We no longer use Frontline Top Spot.
Pre-paid phone cards for use by adoption reps contacting prospective adopters and dog owners. There are many things you can do to help retired racing Greyhounds even if you aren't able to adopt or foster one right now and don't live in our area.
Volunteer with an adoption group in your area. Nearly all of them are glad to have any help they can get. Volunteer tasks might include helping with "meet and greets" and booths, fund raising, publicity, etc. Or, if they have a kennel, you might walk dogs, help with feeding, bathing, etc., help check in incoming dogs, help clean the kennel. Or you might volunteer to help transport dogs to and from vet visits or from the track and to their new homes. The list of jobs needing to be done is endless.
Spread the word! This sounds like a very small thing to do, and it IS simple, but it's critically important. If you aren't already friends with any Greyhounds, try to make it a point to get to know a few so you can tell people from your own experience what wonderful, gentle and loving animals they are. It's amazing how much of the general public still think that Greyhounds are hyper, mean, etc. Others have just never considered adopting a Greyhound because they've never heard much about them. It's time to change that and word of mouth goes a long way. If you're unable to get out much, consider making craft items to donate to adoption groups for raffles and other fund raisers. Dig into your pocket! Nearly every adoption group in the country needs a lot more money than their adoption fees bring in. Adoption fees generally cover basic veterinary work and maybe a few incidentals. The costs of feed, transportation, publicity, phone calls, extra vet work for some dogs, and other expenses nearly always come from donations, fund raisers, or out of the group members' pockets. AHGA has joined two dogfood rebate programs. If we clip and send in Pedigree Proof of Purchase (POP) squares, or Purina weight circles, we receive rebates of at least 8¢ per pound. That's $4.00 for each 50 lb bag, but we'll happily take POP's and weight circles from smaller bags, too. If you feed any Pedigree dry product, or one of several Purina products (including Pro Plan, Purina One, Dog Chow, Puppy Chow and Hi Pro), please clip the POP or weight circle from the bags and send them to us. These things really add up. Between our house dogs and the kennel, we usually use 170-200 lbs of kibble every week. They have rebate requests ready to mail for over $200! That's going to help us a lot. So if you save up several POP's and/or weight circles you can make a nice contribution to AHGA without spending any money. Send them to the address below. Heck, they will even send you a SASE if you email them and ask for it. Just keep the envelope in a drawer and drop it in the mail when it's got several POP's in it. Then they will send you another one. So please, SAVE THOSE CIRCLES and POP'S FOR them! Cutting them out only takes about 15 seconds, but donates $$ to Almost Heaven.

Almost Heaven Greyhound Adoption
5340 Doc Bailey Rd
Cross Lanes WV 25313
www.almost-heaven.org

Foreclosure And Your Pets.

In this uncertain time in our country, many people are having their houses go into foreclosure. When this happens, it not only affects the humans, but any pets they might have. If you find yourself in this situation, please don't just abandon your pets, as some do. Many are just abandoning their animals because they are so frustrated and just walk away from it all. There are many rescue organizations that will be glad to help you and take your pets and place them with good homes. From the smallest to the largest, i.e. birds to horses, there is an organization that will help you. Remember, an animal has feelings too and deserves the right to live a happy, healthy life.

Have A Heart For Chained Dogs Week.

Just a note of importance. The week of 2/7-14/08 is Have A Heart For Chained Dogs week. To learn more about this go to this website: www.dogsdeservebetter.com.
This is a fabulous organization that offers many ways to help dogs that are chained up every day of their lives. This is a very miserable situation for a dog, as they are pack animals and thrive on companionship. Whether it be human or another animal. It does not necessarily have to be another canine that they bond with. I had an American Saddlebred horse that had to have a stall mate. He loved a little pygmy goat named Snappy. When we would go to shows, Snappy had to go, or Argillite, my horse, would not load in the the horse trailer. Actually, the stable I was with used a tractor-trailer to haul with. It was a pretty big barn for this area, at the time I was showing back in the 70's. Have a Heart and check out Dogs Deserve Better and see how you can help.

Horse Abuse Information.

I had the most interesting conversation this afternoon with the founder of a horse rescue organization called speak up for horses. The website is: www.speakupforhorses.org. Here is a little snippet of what this great organization does: "We decided in early 2006 to found a 501c3 registered non profit with the primary mission to educate the public on the plight caused by an unknowing public, by inadequate horse welfare laws, and by the woeful enforcement of existing laws at the federal, state, and local levels." "Speak Up For Horses, Inc. supports the rescue of slaughter-bound horses. However, because we do not yet have an equine facility to adequately house rescued horses ourselves, we partner with a variety of established equine organizations to rescue at-risk horses. We assist other equine rescues in matching available horses with adopters who contact us. We also assist CANTER Ohio and local thoroughbred trainers by photographing retiring racehorses at nearby racetracks for posting on CANTER Ohio's website." www.canterusa.org Abuse is abuse, no matter whether it be perpetrated on animal or human. I hope to have more info from this great organization.



Our name says it all: Speak Up For Horses!

List Of WV Rescue and Humane Organizations, Continued.

Humane Society of Morgan County Berkeley Springs, West Virginia

Humane Society of Parkersburg Parkersburg, WV 26102 Phone: 304-422-5541

Humane Society of Raleigh County Beckley, West Virginia

Humane Society of Ritchie County Harrisville, WV 26362

Huntington-Cabell-Wayne Shelter Huntington , WV Phone: 304-696-5551

Jackson County Animal Shelter Cottageville , WV Phone: 304-372-6064

K9 Furbabies Rescue (Sheltie & Collie) Kearneysville, WV 25430 (outskirts of Martinsburg, WV)

Kanawha Charleston Humane Association Charleston, WV 25311 Phone: 304-342-1576

Karmana Farm Glengary, WV 25421

Katie's Rescue Shelter Camden-on-Gauley, Webster County, WV 26208

Lawrence County Humane Society Ironton , OH

Lawrence County Humane Society Louisa , KY Phone: 606-673-4509

Marion County Humane Society Fairmont, WV 26554

Mason County Humane Society Point Pleasant, WV 25550

Mercer County Humane Society Princeton, WV 24740

Mid-Atlantic English Springer Spaniel Rescue Virginia and West Virginia

Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League, Inc. West Virginia

Mineral County Humane Society Piedmont, WV 26750

Monongalia County Canine Adoption Center

National Humane Education Society Charles Town, Jefferson County, WV 25414-0340

Nicholas County Animal Shelter Summersville , WV Phone: 304-872-7877

North Mountain Small Dog Rescue Martinsburg, WV 25401

One At A Time Gerrardstown, WV 25420

Pike County Animal Shelter Pikeville , KY Phone: 606-432-6293

100 miles South from Huntington, Cabell County, West Virginia (click here for directions)

Putnam County Animal Relief Center Winfield , WV Phone: 304-586-0249

Roane County Animal Shelter Spencer, WV 25276 Phone: 304-927-2555

Scioto County Dog Pound Portsmouth , OH Phone: 740-353-8802

South Ohio Animal Rescue Portsmouth, Scioto County, is 45 miles NW from Huntington, Cabell County, West Virginia (click here for directions).

Summers County Animal Control and Welfare Project Hinton, WV 25951

Tri State Collie Rescue Barboursville, WV 25504, OH and KY

Tucker County Dog Pound Parsons, WV 26287

Upshur County Dog Pound Buckhannon, West Virginia

Wildwoods Rescue Hedgesville, WV 25427

List Of WV Rescue and Humane Organizations.

Almost Heaven Golden Retriever Rescue Sanctuary Delray, WV 26714

Animal Friends of North Central West Virginia Morgantown, Monongalia County, WV 26507-1244

Appalachian Animal Rescue Friends Delbarton, Mingo County, WV 25670

Appalachian Great Pyrenees Rescue

B.A.R.K. Bluegrass Animal Rescue of Kentucky - Louisa , KY (606) 686-9520; joenik@foothills.net


Bosleys Pom Posse West Virginia and Nationwide

Braxton County Humane Society, Inc Sutton , WV Phone: 304-765-2200

Brooke County Animal Shelter Follansbee WV 26037

Clay County Humane Association Clay , WV Phone: 304-651-2496

Fayette County Animal Control Center Fayetteville , WV 25840 Phone: 304-574-3682

Gallia County Animal Shelter Gallipolis , OH Phone: 740-441-0207

Hampshire County Animal Control Paw Paw, WV 25434 Animal Control

Hampshire County Pet Adoption Program Highview, WV

Hearts From Heaven Ripley , WV Phone: 304-415-3275

Hedgesville Hounds Morgan, Berkley, Jefferson Counties of West Virginia and Maryland

Help For Animals Barboursville, Cabell County, West Virginia

Humane Society of Berkeley County Martinsburg, WV 25401

Humane Society of Hampshire County Augusta, WV 26704 Shelter

Humane Society of Jackson County Ohio, Inc. Jackson , OH Phone: 740-286-6435 Shelter

Humane Society of Lawrence County Ironton, Ohio 20 miles NW from Huntington, Cabell County, West Virginia 606-673-4509 (click here for directions)

The World Society For The Protection Of Animals.

I saw a commercial for this organization that I didn't know existed. I felt stupid not knowing this great organization was available and helping all types of animals, not just the dogs, cats,and horses. Please check out this great, great organization. The website is: www.wspa-international.org.

Animals Matter!

Please go to this website and sign the petition to get a Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare passed. This is another great organization. www.animalsmatter.org

No-Kill Shelter Does an Adopt-A-Thon in Pullman Square.

source: I was on the square today and saw this going on and went over to check it out. I also see where the Herald Dispatch had a small story on this event.

Saturday, Jan. 12, 2008, Little Victories No-Kill Shelter was at Pullman Square with some volunteers and a small number of dogs and cats for their Adopt-A-Thon. The shelter is located on Wire Branch Road, Ona, WV. Wire Branch Rd. is on the right as you are heading up Rt. 60 toward Milton. Start looking on your right after you come up the hill from passing Cabell Midland H.S. The road is marked with a green road sign. The money collected will go to funding for care of the shelter dogs and cats, and for the spay or neuter. To learn more about this great organization, go to their website at www.littlevictories.org.

A Miserable Life.

Hello everyone....I was traveling to a friend's house this morning and took Big 7 Mile road, by the IGA on Rt.2 to get there. As I drove toward Union Ridge Rd., I began to notice the dogs tied up to way too small plastic dog houses, or wooden ones with holes all through it. For every dog a rescue organization rescues, their are 6 more, every second, that need help, too. This is really sad.

If you see a dog being abused, or chained up and no food or water, please remember...call the humane society, it can be anonymous, as I have done it many times. Our shelter is now connected with www.petfinder.com, so more dogs are being adopted and not euthanized and thrown away with the trash.

I have a first cousin and his wife that adopt dogs and have quite a few. We saw each other at a funeral for my aunt, and she was talking about how they help Little Victories No-Kill Shelter with donations. I wish everyone were as caring as my first cousin, Alan and his wife, Catherine. Thanks to you both. I would like to end this post with a quote: "Why is it that my heart is so touched whenever I meet a dog lost in our noisy streets?" E'mile Zola